"Lock and Load" -- meaning?

This is a discussion on "Lock and Load" -- meaning? within the General Firearm Discussion forums, part of the Related Topics category; When the M1 Garand came around, the phrase was Lock the bolt to the rear and load a clip, since the act of loading the ...

Ha, no anyone that's fired one can tell you about that. I've done it twice, I can't believe the first time didn't teach me the lesson. I think it actually broke my thumb the second time, not kidding.

I kind of doubt it's where the term originated, and seeing as how I was not alive nor in the war I can't say whether or not this is where it originated. It's just one of the popular myths that I remember.

In a musket you wouldn't lock the hammer back while loading the weapon. The hammer would then be in a position to be released, not very good safety.

The barrel is loaded with powder, then the ball is rammed down against the load. Only after the ram is clear of the barrel do you lock the hammer back.

Actually with a flintlock you do lock the hammer back, after a fashion.

There is a "half-cock" position, that is like a safety position. Half-cock allows the pan to be primed and frizzen closed. When you see a target you then go from half to full cock for the shot. It's the 18th Century equivalent to having "one in the pipe"!

Lock and load is a term meant to "lock back the bolt" and begin to load a weapon fed ammo by a belt, "and possibly a clip"

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Actually with a flintlock you do lock the hammer back, after a fashion.

There is a "half-cock" position, that is like a safety position. Half-cock allows the pan to be primed and frizzen closed. When you see a target you then go from half to full cock for the shot. It's the 18th Century equivalent to having "one in the pipe"!

Right, but you do that only after you're done playing with the barrel (i.e. loading and ramming).

So you do all your loading first, then lock the hammer (half-cock, full-cock, etc.).

Right, but you do that only after you're done playing with the barrel (i.e. loading and ramming).

So you do all your loading first, then lock the hammer (half-cock, full-cock, etc.).

Actually..... The move to half cock is first on a musket (frizzed open). Since (military) muskets are loaded from a prepackaged paper cartridge containing both powder and the ball, the pan is primed first. The weapon goes to half cock, is primed, frizzen closed. rest of powder poured down barrel followed by the ball, and then rammed home.

Rifles are loaded with powder, patch and ball first, then primed. Most riflemen I know load and ram with the rifle at half cock and the frizzen open, them prime and close the frizzen.

Actually..... The move to half cock is first on a musket (frizzed open). Since (military) muskets are loaded from a prepackaged paper cartridge containing both powder and the ball, the pan is primed first. The weapon goes to half cock, is primed, frizzen closed. rest of powder poured down barrel followed by the ball, and then rammed home.

Rifles are loaded with powder, patch and ball first, then primed. Most riflemen I know load and ram with the rifle at half cock and the frizzen open, them prime and close the frizzen.

Hmm, interesting.

Here's something else I dug up that explains the safety nature of "half-cock":

A cock tightly holding a sharp piece of flint is rotated to half-cock, where the sear falls into a safety notch on the tumbler, preventing an accidental discharge.

Meaning, if you were to hear the phrase "lock and load" called out to you, what do you think it is you're supposed to do?

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(Don't look it up on the internet or elsewhere.)

I realize there are some prior discussions, some time ago. But it's interesting how many different definitions seem to exist, when asked off the cuff like this. There are certainly many discussions posted here and there, depending where you look.

What "lock and load" means to me is what was taught to me in basic training 40 years ago--insert a loaded magazine, chamber a round, safety off, prepare to fire on command.
Lots of history here tho.

Actually..... The move to half cock is first on a musket (frizzed open). Since (military) muskets are loaded from a prepackaged paper cartridge containing both powder and the ball, the pan is primed first. The weapon goes to half cock, is primed, frizzen closed. rest of powder poured down barrel followed by the ball, and then rammed home.

Rifles are loaded with powder, patch and ball first, then primed. Most riflemen I know load and ram with the rifle at half cock and the frizzen open, them prime and close the frizzen.